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March 2013 VOLUME 50, NO. 3 Hall of Fame welcomes Bilovsky, Lopresti, Rawlings Frank Bilovsky made his bones in the “I scrolled down … scrolled down … Big Five’s heyday. Mike Lopresti was born scrolled down,” Wieberg says, “until I’d read and raised in , where he has spent his through it, and then looked at him. ‘Bleep entire professional career. Lenox Rawlings you,’ I said. I couldn’t have written anything grew up in the Tobacco Road neighborhood, half as good if I’d had hours or even days to worked a brief spell elsewhere and returned think it through.” to become a regional icon. It’s hard to imagine anyone saying It’s not a requirement for USBWA Hall “Bleep you” to Rawlings, who retired in of Fame inductees to be rooted in the na- December after 34 years writing sports col- tion’s most fertile hoops soil. But when great umns for the Winston-Salem Journal, where journalism talent lives among great subject his work was must-read material for anyone matter, the resulting body of work winds up remotely interested in the ACC. He previ- a for election. ously worked in Raleigh, Greensboro and At age 13 in rural Pennsylvania, Bi- Atlanta. lovsky was smitten by Frank Bilovsky Mike Lopresti Lenox Rawlings A graduate of North Carolina, Rawlings when Lebanon Valley College from nearby never played favorites as he wrote about Annville was invited to the 1953 NCAA tournament. The ism start at his hometown newspaper, the Palladium-Item, some of college ball’s hottest rivalries, and he never shied Flying Dutchmen defeated Fordham before falling to Bob while a high school student in Richmond, Ind., where he still from criticizing whoever and whatever deserved rebuke. Pettit and LSU. Lebanon Valley? How great a story was that? lives. He worked for the P-I until joining the startup crew for That approach might have angered a few coaches and more “That was my baptism,” Bilovsky says. “My confirma- USA Today in 1982. Atlanta will mark his 34th Final Four. than a few boosters. But Rawlings’ way with words dis- tion was the Big Five, when I went to La Salle.” Hall of Famer and former longtime Gannett colleague armed them and his honesty commanded respect. And it was He graduated in 1962, got hired by the late Philadelphia Steve Wieberg tells a story that wraps Lopresti’s gifts in a just damn difficult to argue with his demeanor. Bulletin a year later and was assigned to cover the Big Five. tight package. The Soviets had just defeated Team USA in “An old-style, Southern gentleman,” wrote the Salis- His prose told the story of those doubleheaders at the Palestra the 1988 Olympics semifinals, their first meeting since the bury Post’s Mike London, who got Rawlings’ style exactly until the Bulletin’s demise in 1982. infamy of Munich ‘72. Lopresti had barely finished his game right in one word: “Elegant.” “Frank played a huge role in transforming the Big Five story for the news service when he was informed USA Today Bilovsky, reflecting on his own career, could have been into a Philadelphia institution and the Palestra into a national wanted a column from him, too – and, oh, he had 20 minutes. speaking for all three inductees when he said, “I’ve led a landmark,” Hall of Famer Dick “Hoops” Weiss says. Lopresti tapped out the column on his primitive laptop, charmed life.” A national sportswriting landmark is what Lopresti’s then puffed up the stairs to ask Wieberg for a quick read “to Yes, and basketball fans who’ve read our three honor- column has become in USA Today. Lopresti got his journal- make sure there’s nothing in there that’s stupid or wrong.” ees’ handiwork are the beneficiaries. These vice-presidents put in , and then some Typically, the offseason duties of a USBWA vice-presi- plays well not only in Peoria. Kirk’s a big-time talent who’s down-sizing and defunct newspapers – the deepest of appre- dent are … nothing. I spent three offseasons in the role, and I as mid-major as , Brad Stevens or Shaka Smart. ciation for this profession that we represent. cannot remember ever being asked to do a single thing. When the NCAA asked who should be given first dibs They pushed and pulled each other – and Joe and I, as It was with that knowledge that Kirk Wessler, Dana on any courtside seats that might be saved for us, ESPN. well – and filled in when necessary. Wessler’s firm rebuttal O’Neil and Frank Burlison were informed early last sum- com’s O’Neil was the first to stand up for the participating to the NCAA following our meeting in Indianapolis set just mer that Joe Mitch and I had learned that the right tone that enabled us to salvage what the NCAA again had its eyes on the media’s courtside seats we could. O’Neil took the courtside seats. We didn’t know when, or on several subsequent issues. to what extent, but we knew that with Greg Without these three, we not only would Shaheen no longer in charge of the NCAA be without any courtside seats this tourna- Tournament, changes for us were in store. John Akers ment, but the entirety of our media seating That was all they needed to hear. The would be tucked away in end-zone seating. next few months included several hour-long This wasn’t the presidency that I had teleconferences among us that led to each of Basketball Times envisioned. Hopes of somehow bridging the them taking a day out of their busy schedules gap between SIDs and beat writers got side- for our September meeting with the NCAA tracked. Given the manpower that was put in Indianapolis. Throughout it all, their only President into the seating issue instead, we might also complaints were directed at an organization have restored print media guides, created that believed it somehow made sense to in- better access to players and negotiated that hibit our ability to tell the story of their game. teams’ beat writers. She also was easily the most tenacious of long-awaited Creedence Clearwater Revival reunion. The vice-presidents provided the perfect blend of per- the group, blessed with an ability to express her outrage and Plenty of issues still remain. The best of news is that I sonalities and talents. indignation without making it personal. The next person who write this, my final column as the USBWA president, know- Wessler has the touch of a columnist with the admin- claims to dislike Dana will surely be the first. ing that the hardest-working bunch of vice-presidents will istrative experience of a sports editor – a combination that Burly brought passion and – significant in these days of step up and take them on, all year long if necessary. BASKETBALL TIMES

The United States Basketball Writers Association USBWA continuing relationship 803 Wildview Lane; Manchester, Mo. 63021 Visit us at: www.usbwa.com 314-795-6821; Fax: 314-444-4333 with Naismith Hall of Fame

The USBWA is pleased PRESIDENT – John Akers, Basketball Times; to welcome back the Nai- H: 704-849-8627; C: 980-422-1294; smith Memorial Basketball [email protected]. Hall of Fame as sponsor of FIRST VICE PRESIDENT – Kirk Wessler, the association’s Best Writ- Joe Mitch Peoria Journal-Star; O: 309-686-3216; ing Contest. H: 309-673-5816; C: 309-256-9093; After a brief hiatus as USBWA [email protected]. sponsor of the writing con- SECOND VICE PRESIDENT – Dana O’Neil, test, the Hall of Fame has .com; C: 215-313-3425; committed to a three-year Executive Director [email protected]. sponsorship agreement THIRD VICE PRESIDENT – Frank Burlison, with the USBWA. C: 310-717-5942; [email protected]. “We are proud to re- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Joe Mitch, new our partnership with the USBWA,” said John Doleva, from other Halls of Fame,” Doleva said. “We address all H: 636-227-9113; C: 314-795-6821; president and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. aspects of the game. It’s total representation. We recognize [email protected]. The Hall of Fame’s sponsorship provides funding for the entire game.” WEBMASTER – Ted Gangi, cash awards and plaques that are given annually to contest To be inducted into the Hall, an individual must re- C: 214-909-9314; [email protected]. winners in each of five categories (columns, spot news, in- ceive 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee. Five spe- BOARD MEMBERS vestigative reporting, moderate-length feature and maga- cial committees deal with specialized categories such as DISTRICT I – Matt Vautour, Daily Hampshire zine-length stories). international basketball, early African-American pioneers, Gazette, [email protected]. The Hall of Fame also serves – along with ESPN – players and coaches from the old ABA and contributors. DISTRICT II – Kevin Armstrong, New York Daily as a sponsor of the USBWA awards breakfast held on the In addition to those being inducted and introduced at News; C: 845-323-8129; [email protected]. morning of the national championship game at the NCAA this year’s Final Four, the Hall also will announce the re- DISTRICT III – Steve Wiseman, Durham men’s Final Four. cipients of the Herald-Sun; O: 919-419-6671; The USBWA is also Award for print and elec- H: 919-387-9848; C: 919-768-3933; working with Doleva to tronic excellence. Past [email protected]. resurrect an exhibit at the award winners on the print DISTRICT IV – Pat Forde, Yahoo! Sports; Hall of Fame museum in side who are also in the US- H: 502-253-9761; C: 502-472-91633; Springfield, Mass., that BWA Hall of Fame include [email protected]. listed the names of all past Dave Dorr, Bob Ryan, Lar- DISTRICT V – Mike Lopresti, USA Today, presidents of the associa- ry Donald, Jim O’Connell, O: 765-962-0989; C: 765-969-2526; tion, dating back to the US- , Alex [email protected]. BWA’s founding in 1956. Wolff and Dick Weiss. DISTRICT VI – Tom Keegan, Lawrence Journal Doleva said the Hall of USBWA AWARDS. World; O: 785-832-7147; H: 785-856-0796; Fame museum is experienc- The USBWA’S Oscar Rob- C: 785-423-0683; [email protected]. ing record growth, with at- ertson Player of the Year DISTRICT VII – Wally Hall, Arkansas tendance increasing by over Trophy, the Henry Iba Democrat-Gazette; O: 501-399-3612; 14 percent last year. Doleva Coach of the Year Award C: 501-831-4647; [email protected]. attributes the increase to and the Wayman Tisdale DISTRICT VIII – Tom Kensler; Denver Post; a “60 Days of Summer” Freshman of the Year O: 303-725-8556; C: 303-725-8556; promotion that featured Award will be presented [email protected]. something happening every on Monday, April 15, at a DISTRICT IX – Chris Dufresne, Los Angeles day at the museum, such as College Basketball Gala in Times, O: 909-597-5003; C: 909-234-0504; clinics and book signings. Oklahoma City. [email protected] Exhibits such as biog- The USBWA is part- WOMEN – Mel Greenberg; C: 215-815-5943; raphies and memorabilia of the newest members of the nering with a non-profit organization in Oklahoma (Access [email protected] Hall of Fame – as well as those already in the Hall and the Sports) on the gala, with proceeds going to the Wayman AT-LARGE – Eric Prisbell, USA Today; numerous interactive displays at the museum – also help Tisdale Foundation for disadvantaged youth and the Na- C: 301-708-5022; [email protected]. attract new and returning visitors. Every year, the Hall of tional Kidney Foundation on behalf of . AT-LARGE – Chris Dortch, Ribbon College Fame announces the newest class of inductees at the Final The gala is a departure from previous years, when the Basketball Yearbook; O: 423-468-3875; Four during a news conference following the USBWA’s USBWA split its awards presentations between two ven- C: 423-400-9488; [email protected]. Monday morning breakfast. ues. The Robertson Trophy and Iba Award were presented SID – Bill Potter, Horizon League; The announcement always brings joy to those select- at a Final Four breakfast, and the Tisdale Freshman Award O: 317-472-0047; C: 317-625-5772; ed but disappointment – and sometimes controversy – to was handed out 10 days later at a banquet in Oklahoma [email protected]. those who aren’t. City in honor of Tisdale, an Oklahoma native and former MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR – Helen “Joe O’Brien (former executive director of the NABC) Sooners and NBA star who passed away from cancer. Heugel; 314-444-4384; [email protected]. used to say the cream always rises to the top and eventually This year, the USBWA decided to bring presentation NEW MEDIA LIAISON – Wendy Parker; those deserving will get into Hall,” Doleva said. of all three of its awards under one roof by participating Basketball Times/Freelance; C: 404-219-4278; Doleva said the Basketball Hall of Fame is proud to in the gala in Oklahoma City. In addition to the presenta- [email protected]. recognize the achievements of people at all levels in bas- tion of the USBWA player and coach of the year awards, TIPOFF EDITOR – John Akers, Basketball ketball – players, coaches, college, professional, women, a Humanitarian Award will be presented to Michigan State Times; H: 704-849-8627; C: 980-422-1294; men and international constituents. coach Tom Izzo. Past winners include ESPN’s [email protected]. “This is what sets the Basketball Hall of Fame apart and Duke coach . BASKETBALL TIMES

Most Courageous: BC’s Kelley, Oakland’s Francis When it comes to the basketball universe, “courage” “It’s not easy to talk about,” she said during an inter- happier than I have ever been. I am totally free.” isn’t an entity that is found only on a court. view with the . “It’s something I tried to She told the USBWA, “I am humbled to receive this In the cases of Beckie Francis and Dick Kelley, cour- hold back and hide because I was afraid of what people award. I broke down in tears when I was informed that gage can be demonstrated in the baring of long-held and would think. It’s to a point now where situations are com- the USBWA was recognizing me and bringing attention to painful secrets and in persevering with day-to-day chores ing out in the media with all kinds of cases from schools, what has become a national problem. I told people, ‘This while suffering the impact organization gets it.’” of a debilitating and un- Kelley was struck with sparing disease. In the cases of the incurable amyotrophic Francis, in her 13th Beckie Francis and lateral sclerosis in 2011. season as the women’s Even with his declining coach at Oakland Univer- Dick Kelley, courage can be health and mobility, he is a sity, and Kelley, the sports viable and vibrant presence information director at his demonstrated in the baring of on campus and in BC’s ath- alma mater, Boston Col- letic department and bas- lege, since 1989, are the long-held and painful secrets ketball facilities. winners of the USBWA’s The school’s men’s Most Courageous Awards. and in persevering with day-to- basketball coach, Steve The women’s most day chores while suffering the Donahue, told Pete Thamel courageous award is named of that, “I in honor of former Ten- impact of a debilitating disease. think what separates Dick nessee coach Pat Summitt, Beckie Francis Dick Kelley is that most guys in his job who received the award af- are really into the team and ter revealing she was suffering from early onset dementia. churches, everywhere, and I’m tired of it.” want them to win. (Kelley) is so much more genuine about Last fall, Francis publicly disclosed that her now-dis- The 47-year-old Francis said she didn’t tell her mother caring for the guys as people and helping the guys. His at- eased father had sexually assaulted her from the time she until she was in her 30s because “I was in total denial ... and titude is, ‘I’m going to make these guys be part of BC and was 4 years old until she was in the seventh grade. that’s another example of why I want to talk about this,’’ support them anyway that I can.’ You never got the sense Francis had told her story to her players and fellow she added in the AP interview. “I know that people are so that Dick was doing this to get publicity for the school. He church parishioners before deciding to go public with her embarrassed and they think, ‘Oh, I’m just going to forget was genuinely caring about the people and who they are.” experiences, partly, she said, because of the attention the about it. It was in the past. Move on. Buck up. Suck it up.’ When informed by Joe Mitch of the USBWA of his scandal surrounding the accusations against Jerry San- But there are so many things. It can affect your health. It impending honor, Kelley wrote, “I am overwhelmed ... I dusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach. just affects our confidence. And since I have let it go, I am am very grateful.” Twenty-five years ago, Katha Quinn set the standard By MALCOLM MORAN “Dying is no big deal,” once said. “The asked a question: She had to know she was dying. least of us will manage that. Living is the trick.” “How do I look?” As she stood before us in Kansas City a quarter century The way she lived her life became the lesson she left The truth was that she looked great. On behalf of those ago, honored for turning strength of will into an event at the behind. Katha began to undergo experimental chemothera- of us that had not been following a healthy regimen, regu- Pan American Games during the previous summer, Katha py treatments that would continue for 18 months. Accord- larly choosing to conclude our workdays with a cheese- Quinn spoke of a future that had not been promised. She ing to St. John’s officials, previous treatments with other burger and adult beverage at 1:30 a.m., the truth was that acknowledged her circumstance without dwelling on it. She patients had not extended more than seven months. Katha Katha was in the 98th percentile among credentialed media chose to concentrate on ev- members in Indianapolis. eryone else, especially the That is how she looked people at St. John’s Univer- on that Monday morning sity, the When she was finished, in Kansas City when she and beyond who had made received a then-unnamed her role as sports informa- in a room filled with tears, award for outstanding ser- tion director so rewarding. vice to the industry. In the And when she was fin- the applause went on and quarter century to follow, ished, in a room filled with the roster of Katha Quinn tears, the applause went on on and on. In the history of the Award winners has grown and on and on. In the history into a collection of out- of the USBWA, there had U.S. Basketball Writers standing public relations not been a moment quite Association, there had not officers and administrators. like it. This year’s award is going Katha had been hon- been a moment quite like it. to Greg Shaheen, the for- ored for an achievement she mer NCAA executive vice did not consider remark- Katha Quinn Greg Shaheen president, championships able. She had agreed to su- and alliances. pervise the basketball media operation at Market Square was going to be there in the late summer, and she was go- The sad reality was that the truth lied. The 50th Fi- Arena during the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapo- ing to complete the job. She followed every instruction. She nal Four was Katha’s last. She passed away the following lis. She wouldn’t allow a little thing such as a diagnosis of endured the treatments. She took naps. She ate fruits and March, one day before her birthday, at the age of 35. liver cancer get in the way of her job. vegetables. She made it to Indianapolis, navigated through “Yesterday she said to me, ‘I need a miracle,’” Lou The diagnosis was made in January, approximately six the demanding tournament schedule and supervised an ef- Carnesecca, then the St. John’s coach, said after her pass- months before the event. So she made her commitment part ficient operation. ing. “What she didn’t know was that she was the miracle.” of a recovery plan. Actually, the commitment became the During the final days of the tournament, in the middle Malcolm Moran is director of the National Sports Journal- focal point. Obsession might not be too strong a word. of a quiet afternoon, there was concern on her face as she ism at Indianapolis. BASKETBALL TIMES

ESPN.com’s Medcalf wins Rising Star award Being named the winner of the Ris- Little did Medcalf know that these The drama didn’t end with the 2009-10 season. A ing Star Award is another humbling career experiences would be the perfect prepara- year later, Medcalf learned that Devoe Joseph was trans- experience for a sharecropper’s grandson, tion for becoming the University of Min- ferring in midseason from a 3 a.m. email from Joseph’s ESPN.com’s Myron Medcalf. nesota men’s basketball beat writer in mother. Medcalf, 29, is the fourth recipient 2007 and for the Golden Gophers’ partic- Through it all, Medcalf said his skin grew thicker of the Rising Star award, which goes to a ularly turbulent season of 2009-10. That and that he learned some important lessons along the way. USBWA member who is under 30 years of year, the highly recruited Royce White “The biggest thing I learned is that you have to be age and shows exceptional promise in our was involved in a pair of legal matters that fearless in this business,” Medcalf said. “You don’t want profession. Medcalf played football and led to his suspension from the team, his to get so close that you can’t write the story where the ran track early in his career at Minnesota announcement on YouTube that he was coach wakes up next to a strip club, drunk. If you get that State University, Mankato, and he served leaving the program and his withdrawal call, you have to be in a position to write it.” as the public-address announcer for three from school. Another top recruit, Trevor Hired by ESPN.com in 2011, Medcalf found that his of the Mavericks’ sports teams, but he Mbakwe, was suspended while he awaited ability to work with video, TV, radio and live chats to be was never a sports writer while in college. trial for a felony assault charge. Starting as valuable as his writing skills. Though he had no formal And, yet, early in his college years, he Al Nolen became academi- broadcast training, he believes that co-hosting that Satur- made a bold declaration. Myron Medcalf cally ineligible at midseason. day evening sports radio show at Mankato State helped “When I got to Mankato, I told people that I wanted “It was one bad thing after another,” Medcalf said. him become a multimedia journalist. to go work for ESPN,” Medcalf recalled. “People would “It seemed like literally every other day, there was some- He also has noticed that he might again be a pioneer kind of look at you crazy, because no one even knows thing new happening with the program. I think I grew a of sorts. The first African-American editor of his school where Mankato is. I didn’t go to Michigan or Syracuse lot, because it forced me to pull all of my experiences newspaper is now the only African-American national or one of those bigger schools. So, how are you going to together and write a lot of high-profile stories. college-basketball writer. get there?” “When other young sports writers ask me what they The significance of his achievements sunk in the first Medcalf’s initial answer to his own question was to should do to get on a sports-writing path, I always tell time he covered a Final Four, in 2010. become the first African-American editor-in-chief of his them that they should do everything but sports for a time. “Covering the Final Four with all these other nation- school’s newspaper, the MSU Reporter. He also took in- For me (covering the Gophers), I was essentially cover- al reporters felt like I had achieved one of the things I’d ternships at both ESPN the Magazine and at the Minneap- ing a crime beat. I might not have known where to look really set out to accomplish,” Medcalf said. “Remember, olis Star-Tribune that led to fulltime jobs. The internship for documents I needed if I hadn’t had experience as a in my family, I’m two generations away from sharecrop- at the Star-Tribune following his graduation at Mankato crime reporter. I had to deal with a lot of people who had pers. My mom’s dad was chopping wood in a forest in led to jobs covering the night cops beat and City Hall, nothing to do with basketball – lawyers and judges and Louisiana. My grandfather was a sharecropper in the both in St. Paul. He was named Minnesota’s AP Young victims. Then you had to tell a sports story that wasn’t South who couldn’t read or write. Journalist of the Year in 2006. really a sports story.” “And here I am. I’d like to think that’s progress.” Robertson, Tisdale lists feature Bennett, McLemore The 12 finalists for the U.S. Basket- and 18 ppg. Carter-Williams also has been ball Writers Association’s Oscar Rob- 2013 2013 WAYMAN TISDALE TROPHY among the national leaders in steals, at ertson Award, given to the nation’s top MIDSEASON WATCH LIST MIDSEASON WATCH LIST about 3 per game, with Oladipo averaging player, include two freshmen and pairs of F – Anthony Bennett, UNLV (6-8, 240, Fr., G – , UCLA (6-5, 220, At- about 2.5 per game. Oladipo and Olynyk Brampton, Ont.) lanta, Ga.) players from both the have also been among the nation’s leaders G – , Michigan (6-0, 190, So., G – Kyle Anderson, UCLA (6-9, 235, Fair- and the Kansas Jayhawks. Columbus, ) view, N.J.) in shooting percentage, at about 66 per- Anthony Bennett of UNLV and Ben G – Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse (6- C – Isaiah Austin, Baylor (7-1, 220, Arling- cent. Oladipo is also known for his spec- McLemore of Kansas were also named to 6, 185, So., Hamilton, Mass.) ton, Texas) tacular dunks and his shut-down defense; a 12-man list of finalists for the Wayman F – Doug McDermott, Creighton (6-8, 225, F – Anthony Bennett, UNLV (6-8, 240, in a victory over No. 1 Michigan, he was Tisdale Award, given to the nation’s top Jr., Ames, Iowa) Brampton, Ont.) credited with defending four different freshman. G – Ben McLemore, Kansas (6-5, 195, Fr., G – Jahii Carson, Arizona State (5-10, 175, players and holding them collectively to McLemore was joined by shot-- St. Louis, Mo.) Mesa, Ariz.) just four points. ing teammate on the Oscar G – , Indiana (6-5, 214, Jr., G – Kevin (Yogi) Ferrell, Indiana (6-0, 178, Six freshmen from the preseason Upper Marlboro, Md.) Indianapolis, Ind.) Robertson list. The Hoosiers’ Victor Ola- Wayman Tisdale candidates remained on F – , Gonzaga (7-0, 238, Jr., G – Ben McLemore, Kansas (6-5, 195, St. dipo and also were named to Kamloops, B.C.) Louis, Mo.) the USBWA’s midseason list: Bennett, the list. F – , Duke (6-10, 235, Sr., G-F – , UCLA (6-6, Kyle Anderson of UCLA, Isaiah Austin Zeller was one of just four players Warsaw, Ind.) 225, Las Vegas, Nev.) of Baylor, Shabazz Muhammad of UCLA, from the USBWA’s preseason list of can- G – , Louisville (6-0, 165, Jr., F – , Kentucky (6-10, 228, Ev- Nerlens Noel of Kentucky and Marcus didates who remained on the midseason Brooklyn, N.Y.) erett, Mass.) Smart of Oklahoma State. list, along with Trey Burke of Michigan, F – , Ohio State (6-7, 215, F – III, Michigan (6-6, Newcomers to the list included Doug McDermott of Creighton and De- Jr., Fort Wayne, Ind.) 210, St. John, Ind.) McLemore, Jordan Adams of UCLA, Ja- shaun Thomas of Ohio State. C – Jeff Withey, Kansas (7-0, 235, Sr., San G – , Oklahoma State (6-4, hii Carson of Arizona State, Diego, Calif.) 225, Flower Mound, Texas) Others named to the watch list includ- of Indiana, Glenn Robinson III of Michi- F – Cody Zeller, Indiana (7-0, 240, So., G – , Michigan (6-6, 190, Mis- ed Michael Carter-Williams of Syracuse, Washington, Ind.) sissauga, Ont.) gan and Nik Stauskas of Michigan. Kelly Olynyk of Gonzaga, Mason Plum- Noel has led all players in blocks at lee of Duke and Russ Smith of Louisville. McDermott and Burke were named the USBWA more than 4 per game and has been among the top three McDermott, a first-team All-American during the Players of the Week. McDermott was honored on Dec. 16 freshmen in rebounding and steals. Muhammad, Bennett 2011-12 season, has been among the nation’s scoring after following up a 30-point effort against Akron with a and Carson have been among the nation’s top four fresh- leaders, at nearly 24 points per game, and Thomas has 34-point game against California. Burke was honored on man scorers, with Bennett also ranking among the top 10 been the leader, at about 20 ppg. Jan. 7 after posting 23 points and a career-high four steals rebounders and Carson among the top 10 freshmen in as- Plumlee has been among the nation’s rebounding leaders, against Northwestern and 19 points and a career-high 11 sists. at about 11 per game, while also averaging more than 17 assists against Iowa. The names of the 12 finalists will appear on the bal- ppg. Withey has been among the nation’s top four shot- Carter-Williams has led the nation in assists, at about lots for both the Oscar Robertson and Wayman Tisdale blockers, at more than 4 per game. 9 per game, with Burke not far behind at about 7 assists awards.